[Index]
Walter Tasman CONDER (1888 - 1974)
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
Walter Tasman CONDER (1888 - 1974)

+

Cora Jeanne WOOD
Jones (John, James) Henry CONDER (1838 - 1900)











Allison Mary Maxwell GIBB (1847 - 1931)












b. 1888 at Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia
m. 1945 Cora Jeanne WOOD at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
d. 1974 at Nelson, New Zealand aged 86
Near Relatives of Walter Tasman CONDER (1888 - 1974)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Father Jones (John, James) Henry CONDER 1838 London, England 1900 Launceston, Tasmania, Australia 62
Mother Allison Mary Maxwell GIBB 1847 London, England 1931 Launceston, Tasmania, Australia 84
Step Mother Louisa Fay MARTIN 1843 Ireland 1871 Victoria, Australia 28

Self Walter Tasman CONDER 1888 Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia 1974 Nelson, New Zealand 86

Wife Cora Jeanne WOOD

Half Sister Emma Louisa Kate CONDER 1866 South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1867 South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1
Half Brother Alfred James CONDER 1867 Northcote, Victoria, Australia 1869 Northcote, Victoria 2
Half Brother Alfred James CONDER 1869 Northcote, Victoria 1933 Five Dock, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 64
Brother Henry Hawthorne CONDER 1872 Northcote, Victoria, Australia
Brother William Jones CONDER 1873 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1940 Cape Barren Island, Tasmania, Australia 67
Sister Jeanie Henrietta CONDER 1875 Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Brother Albert Edward George CONDER 1877 Northcote, Victoria, Australia
Brother Sydney Herbert CONDER 1880 Northcote, Victoria, Australia 1951 Auckland, New Zealand 71
Sister Victoria Eisle Blanche CONDER 1881 Northcote, Victoria, Australia 1882 1
Brother Leslie Reginald CONDER abt 1884 1892 Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia 8
Sister Amy Theresa CONDER 1891 Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia 1966 Cairns, Queensland, Australia 75

Nephew Walter Edward CONDER

Sister in Law Elizabeth Jane SHAW 1867 Wattle Flat, Sofala, New South Wales, Australia 1954 Five Dock, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 87
Brother in Law John Lachlan FRASER
Sister in Law Margaret Agnes BROWN abt 1888 1954 New Zealand 66
Brother in Law Edward Delgrave (de Grave) PRITCHARD 1887 Westbury, Tasmania, Australia 1945 Atherton, Queensland, Australia 58
Brother in Law Lewis Venables WAKEFIELD 1975 Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Events in Walter Tasman CONDER (1888 - 1974)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
1871 Death of step mother Louisa Fay MARTIN (aged 28) Victoria, Australia Note 1 52, 60
1888 Walter Tasman CONDER was born Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia Note 2 52
1900 12 Death of father Jones (John, James) Henry CONDER (aged 62) Launceston, Tasmania, Australia Note 3 60
1931 43 Death of mother Allison Mary Maxwell GIBB (aged 84) Launceston, Tasmania, Australia Note 4 60
1945 57 Married Cora Jeanne WOOD Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Note 5 52
1974 86 Walter Tasman CONDER died Nelson, New Zealand
1974 86 Burial Nelson, New Zealand (cremated) Note 6 90
Note 1: Victoria, Australia, Death Index, 1836-1988
Name Louisa Conder
Death Registration Year 1871
Death Registration Place Victoria, Australia
Father Martin James
Mother Maiden Name Anderson
Spouse James Henry Conder
Reference Number 2060

The Argus (Melbourne) 30 Jan 1871
CONDER - On the 24th inst., at Arthurton-villa
Arthurton-road, Northcote, in the twenty-eighth
Year of her age, Louise, the wife of J. H. Conder,
And daughter of the late James Martin, sq., of
Lissadell, Sligo, Ireland, deeply regretted by a large
Circle of friends and acquaintances.
Note 2: Burial info - 1895

Walter Tasman Conden
in the Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922
Name Walter Tasman Conden
Birth Date 18 Oct. 1888
Birth Place Tasmania
Registration Year 1888
Registration Place Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia
Father Jones Henry Conden
Mother Allison Mary Maxwell Gibb
Registration Number 3095
Note 3: Examiner (Launceston) 4 Oct 1900
DEATHS.
CONDER. — On the 3rd October, at 286
Charles-street, Launceston, J. H.
Conder, of Ringarooma, late of Vic-
toria, in the 63rd year of his age.
FUNERAL NOTICES.
The funeral of the late Mr. J. H.
Conder will leave 286 Charles-street this
day, at 2 o'clock. Friends are invited to
attend. — STORRER, Undertaker, St.
John-street.
Note 4: Burial info

The Mercury (Hobart) 21 July 1931
CONDER. - On July 10. 1931, at 7 Bris-
bane Street, Launceston, - Allison
Mary Maxwell, widow ot the late J.
H. Conder (formerly of Melbourne
and Ringarooma).

Examiner (Launceston) 20 July 1931
Late Mrs. J. H. Conder
DEATH IN LAUNCESTON
The death occurred in Launceston
yesterday morning of Mrs. Allison
Mary Conder. widow of the late Mr. J.
H. Conder, at the age of 84 years.
The late Mrs. Conder was born in
London in 1847, and went to live in
Scotland at the ago of two. When
six years old she was brought to Aus-
tralia, and the voyage out was full of
adventure, as the ship on which she
travelled out, the Martabar, was ashore
twice, and attacked by pirates.
Upon arrival in Victoria, she lived
for some time in that state, and in
1878 came to Tasmania for a few
years. She returned to Victoria, but
returned to Tasmania towards the
end of the last century, and lived at
Ringarooma for 36 years, where she
was an ardent Red Cross worker dur-
ing the Great War. Her late hus-
band, Mr. J. H. Conder, died at Ringa-
rooma 31 years ago. In 1920, when 73
years of age, the late Mrs. Conder left
for trips to Africa and New Zealand,
and on her return took up her resi-
idence in Launceston, where she has
lived for the past six years. She has
been in ill-health for a considerable
time. She was a parishioner of St.
John's Church all the time she lived
in Launceston, becoming first associat-
ed with the church during her visit
in 1878. She leaves two daughters,
three sons and a stepson: one daugh-
ter and two sons are dead. Those sur-
viving her are Mrs. J.L. Fraser, of
Africa, Mrs. E. D. Pritchard. of Rock-
ampton, Queensland. Major W. T. Con-
der, of Melbourne, Messrs. W.J. Con-
der, of Launceston, S. H. Condor, of
Taikapl, New Zealand, and A. J. Con
der (step-son), of Sydney. Mrs. Con-
der will be missed by a large circle
of friends in Launceston and Ringa-
rooma.
Note 5: Walter Tasman Conder
in the Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011
Name Walter Tasman Conder - theatrical manager - b Abersthwish, Wales - father Jones Henry Wonder (dec), farmer & Alison Mary Maxwelll Gibb (dec)
Gender Male
Marriage Age 50
Record Type Marriage
Birth Date abt 1895
Marriage Date 14 Jul. 1945
Marriage Place Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Parish as it Appears Manly St. Matthew
Father Jones Henry Conder
Mother Alison Mary Maxwell Conder
Spouse Cora Jeanne Wood - age 39 - hospital matron - b Auckland, NZ - Morris Idiom? Wood, Company Director & Clare Lenox Richey (dec)

Walter Thomas Conder
in the Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950
Name Walter Thomas Conder
Marriage Date 1945
Marriage Place Manly, New South Wales
Registration Date 1945
Registration Place Manly, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse Cora Jeanne Wood
Registration Number 15871
Note 6: Walter Tasman “Wally” Conder

Birth
18 Oct 1888
Ringarooma, Dorset Council, Tasmania, Australia
Death
3 Nov 1974 (aged 86)
Nelson, New Zealand
Burial
Cremated
Personal Notes:
Obit of brother William

Who’s Who in Australia 1944
CONDER Walter Tasman, M. B. E., former Gen Manager, A. B. C.


"Walter Tasman Conder (1888-1974), prison governor and wireless station manager, was born on 18 October 1888 at Ringarooma, Tasmania, son of Jones Henry Conder, commercial clerk, and his Scottish wife Allison Mary Maxwell, née Gibb. 'Wally' Conder boarded at Launceston Church Grammar School in 1902-07. School captain and commander of the cadets, he not only distinguished himself at rowing, boxing, sprinting and horse-riding, but also represented Tasmania at football. He became a master at the school in 1908, studied part time at the University of Tasmania, and in 1914 moved to Victoria to teach French, history and mathematics at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School.

In August 1914 Conder enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and was commissioned in February 1915. He was wounded at Gallipoli on 25 April and returned to Australia in June. After convalescence, in August 1916 he was appointed by Colonel R. E. Williams to take charge of Langwarrin Military Camp on the Mornington Peninsula. In October he was promoted captain, and major in September next year. Conder made many enlightened improvements in the routine of the camp's inmates, most of whom had venereal disease: the twenty-four hour guard was removed and Conder arranged for soldiers to receive their pay (hitherto withheld); he also established a military band and encouraged gardening. Langwarrin remained relatively free from diseases such as meningitis, so common in other camps.

On 1 April 1922 Conder was appointed governor of Pentridge Gaol and inspector of prisons for Victoria. His ideas of prison reform, at a time of prisoner strife in Victoria, provoked the wrath of some authorities, but he served a useful term as governor, and generally raised prisoner morale. He resigned on 31 October 1923 when the offer of a high salary by J. C. Williamson Ltd proved irresistible.

Conder's initial task at J. C. W.'s was to 'clean up' the operations of the company, particularly ticket sale abuses; but his main job, in the first years of wireless in Australia, was to control the firm's new interest in the field—the Broadcasting Co. of Australia Pty Ltd, which later merged with Dominion Broadcasting Pty Ltd. He was totally dedicated and worked long hours from his office in His Majesty's Theatre or his room at the Athenaeum Club. He presided over a major technical innovation, the reduction of 3LO's wave-length, and helped to establish radio's popularity in Melbourne. It was said that 3LO owed its early success to Conder's 'genius for organisation, his vision, and enthusiasm for all things affecting … radio'. When the Australian Broadcasting Co. took over 3LO under government contract in 1930, he left to organize Melbourne's centenary celebrations. Failing to become the first general manager of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in July 1932 he got the job in April 1933 after the first manager, Harold Williams, died.

Known as 'the major', Conder was superb as a showman and organizer of entertainment. His time as general manager saw the famous broadcast of the England to Melbourne air race, and the first A.B.C. national concert tours. But while he worked well with the first chairman, (Sir) Charles Lloyd Jones, he clashed with W. J. Cleary, chairman from July 1934. Conder believed that programmes should be arranged to suit the masses. He did not believe in many talk sessions or in controversial broadcasts. He wanted more sporting programmes, more entertainment for its own sake, or as he put it—'everything on the air but hot air'. Cleary could not accept either Conder's outlook or his 'barrack-room standards'.

Early in 1935 Cleary alleged irregularities in Conder's expenditure of A.B.C. funds but the precise details remain unclear. The commission dismissed Conder but granted compensation equal to one half-year's salary. News of his 'resignation' came as a complete surprise to the public.

With the aid of his severance money Conder formed a company to run Ivan Brothers' International Circus but the enterprise failed. He was unemployed for some twelve months, before being appointed to Australia's 150th Anniversary Council in September 1937; next year he worked for the Tasmanian Tourist Bureau. From March 1939 he was unemployed. Declared bankrupt in February 1940, when he could not be located, a warrant was issued for his arrest for contempt of court. He was held at Pentridge for a few hours before his release was arranged. In April 1940 he was given permission to go to the Middle East with the 2nd A.I.F. as General (Sir) Thomas Blamey's entertainment officer. In 1944 he managed a United States Army hostel in Rockhampton, Queensland, and in 1944-45 the Pitt Street American Red Cross Club, Sydney.

On 14 July 1945 at St Matthew's Church of England, Manly, Conder married Cora Jeanne, née Wood, a hospital matron, and they sailed to England. Conder joined the Ministry of Information and lectured on 'A new life in Australia' throughout Britain. In 1947-51 he ran the Swan Hotel, Bedford. He went to New Zealand in 1952 where he managed some breweries, the Empire Hotel, Wellington, and, later, the Tattersall's Lottery. After organizing the Festival of Wellington in 1962, he suffered a coronary occlusion. Survived by his wife, he died at his home in Nelson on 3 November 1974 and was cremated." - by Alan Thomas, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8 , 1981
Source References:
52. Type: Australia Birth Marriage Death Index 1787 - 1985 Record
- Reference = (Marriage)
- Notes: Walter Thomas Conder
in the Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950
Name Walter Thomas Conder
Marriage Date 1945
Marriage Place Manly, New South Wales
Registration Date 1945
Registration Place Manly, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse Cora Jeanne Wood
Registration Number 15871
- Reference = (Birth)
- Notes: Walter Tasman Conden
in the Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922
Name Walter Tasman Conden
Birth Date 18 Oct. 1888
Birth Place Tasmania
Registration Year 1888
Registration Place Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia
Father Jones Henry Conden
Mother Allison Mary Maxwell Gibb
Registration Number 3095
90. Type: Web Page, Abbr: Find A Grave, Title: Findagrave.com
- Reference = (Burial)
- Notes: Walter Tasman “Wally” Conder

Birth
18 Oct 1888
Ringarooma, Dorset Council, Tasmania, Australia
Death
3 Nov 1974 (aged 86)
Nelson, New Zealand
Burial
Cremated